From His Heart

[Judy Harder]

TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT

"Tell slaves who are believers to place themselves under their masters' authority in everything they do. Tell them to please their masters, not to argue with them or steal from them.  Instead, tell slaves to show their masters how good and completely loyal they can be.  Then they will show the beauty of the teachings about God our Savior in everything they do."  Titus 2:9-10 GW

Do you remember a singer named Donald Eugene Lytle? Probably not. But you may know him by his stage name, Johnny Paycheck. He was rather famous for a country song that talked about his miserable job ... a job he quit, burning his bridge on the way out the door. "Take This Job and Shove It" was a number one hit in 1977 partly because it captured the sentiment shared by millions of employees. To be sure, tons of people hate their job.           

How about you? How do you like your job? Is it terrific, terrible, or tolerable?

How would you like to "take this job and love it"? How would you like to turn your job into a joy?  Is that even possible?  Yes!

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR OLD JOB

In Titus 2:9-10, God gives a command to slaves, those folks in society who didn't have a choice concerning their job.  God tells them how they are to act and react "on the job" and with their boss.  The command to them in the first century is the command to us in the twenty-first century.  Doing what God says to do is the key to seeing your job in a whole different light.   

What is the purpose of your job, anyway?  Is it just a necessary evil, what you have to do to make a living?  The popular bumper sticker of a few years ago stated, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."  Is the job just what you have to do so you can maintain your lifestyle?  Is that the way God wants us to view our work?  Absolutely not.

Your job, no matter what it is (provided it is not immoral or illegal), is designed to be a ministry, not a monotony.  First and foremost, God has provided that job for you so that you can be a witness for Him.  He wants to use you on the job to "show the beauty of the teachings about God our Savior."

Employees who exhibit the godly qualities of faithfulness, honesty, integrity, and responsibility with a submissive, positive, "can do" attitude honor and glorify Jesus Christ on the job.  They stand out like an oasis in the desert.  They shine for Christ in an increasingly dark and depraved world.   

DANIEL

Daniel was such an employee.  He worked for a pagan, ruthless, maniacal boss named Nebuchadnezzar (nicknamed Bubba).  Bubba ran the evil empire known as Babylon, a vicious entity that had murdered many of Daniel's countrymen, decimated his homeland, and burned the holy temple to the ground.  Yet in spite of all of this, Daniel served God by working honestly, diligently, and wisely for the king.  And in the end, the power of Daniel's life and witness helped bring Bubba to a saving knowledge of the Lord (see Daniel 4).

YOUR JOB

Christian, your job is your ministry.  Your marketplace is your mission field.  The world is full of corner-cutting, clock-watching, disagreeable and dishonest employees who do the minimum and milk the system every chance they get.  As a child of the King of kings, you are called to a higher calling.  You are called to represent Jesus Christ in your workplace.

Ask God to help you see your job from His perspective.  Ask Him to shine through you as you work for Him in your place of employment.  Take advantage of the opportunities He affords you to make an impact for Jesus among your co-workers as you rise and shine in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Love,

Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

THE JOY OF THANKS-LIVING

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

We are heading into the best time of the year – the Thanksgiving/Christmas season.  I just love being with family and friends ... enjoying great food, great fellowship, and great football (Go Longhorns!).

As we enter Thanksgiving, we tend to focus on our blessings and giving thanks for God's goodness.  While that is certainly a good thing, it is not the best thing.  The best thing is to turn Thanksgiving into Thanks-living.  Regardless of the day or the situation, God wants us to be thankful.  Why is that?

1.  Thanks-living lets God know you have confidence in Him, no matter how deep the problems or how dire the circumstances.  Thanks is faith turned inside out.             

2.  Thanks-living changes your countenance and disposition.  Instead of being down and discouraged, spreading gloom and despair everywhere you go, you begin to radiate the joy of the Lord.  The best witnesses for Christ are those who are facing life's trials with a song of thanksgiving on their lips.

3.  Thanks-living opens the door for God to work.  God hates it when we grumble and gripe ... but He loves it when we praise and give thanks.  As we begin to live a life of thankfulness to God, He begins to work, even through the toughest trials and tests of faith.  Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison ... and they sang a hymn of praise to the Lord.  And when they finished singing, the Lord sent a jailhouse rock, and the prison doors were opened.  You mark it down: God does miracles on our behalf when we choose to thank Him and praise Him, even in the deepest, darkest pit.

Let me challenge you as I challenge myself.  Discipline yourself to give thanks in everything.  Thank Him for the mountains ... and thank Him for the valleys.  He is worthy of all your thanks and praise.

A Prayer You May Need to Pray

Dear God, I hate to say it, but I have been guilty of grumbling and griping about all my problems and trials.  I have failed to be thankful and to remember that You are at work in my life, even through all the troubles.  Please forgive me, God.  I want to be a person who keeps my eyes on You and praises You, no matter what may come my way.  So, thank you God for these blessings (name them) and these challenges (name them).  I know You are in control of all things.  I know You love me and work all things together for my good.  I choose to trust You, Lord.  Teach me to be a "praiser" who always finds the good ... and not a complainer who always finds the bad.   In Jesus' name, amen.

Love,


Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

THE PROBLEM OF SEXUAL SIN

"Now therefore, my sons, listen to me and pay attention to the words of my mouth.  Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways (the ways of an adulteress), do not stray into her paths.  For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain.  Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death." - Proverbs 7:24-27

Some years ago, I was having lunch with a friend.  He was visibly shaken.  When I asked him what was wrong, he spilled the beans.  He had become overwhelmed with lust and groped a woman at work.  His wife found out ... as did her husband.  It was a huge mess.  I can still remember him telling me these chilling words, "I am so afraid I am going to lose my family."

Without question, one of the biggest challenges facing Christians today is the problem of sexual immorality, including lust (a temptation of the mind), pornography (a temptation of the eyes), adultery and fornication (a temptation of the body).  Many good men and women who truly love God are falling prey to this powerful and alluring temptation.  How can we have victory when the sexual pull is so strong, so ingrained in our flesh, and so readily available?

VICTORY IS WON AT THE BEGINNING

The Lord speaks directly to the temptation of sexual sin in Proverbs 7.  In this chapter, the man lacking in sense is seduced by a scantily-clad harlot who says to him, "Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses" (Prov. 7:18).  He follows her for a night of momentary pleasure, and afterward he experiences a lifetime of lasting pain.  Such is always the case with "the passing pleasures of sin." Like the fish that went after that shiny, beautiful lure, "so he does not know that it will cost him his life" (Prov. 7:23).

The man in Proverbs 7 made two fatal errors.  First of all, he didn't hold fast to God's clear command.  He chose his way over God's way, and it cost him.  A big key to victory is a made-up mind.  When you are fully persuaded that God's commands are true and right and produce lasting contentment and satisfaction, you will trust what He says and turn away when evil presents itself.   

Secondly, the man lacking sense took an ill-advised step toward a slippery slope.  He took the way to her house and strayed into her path.  He lied to himself and rationalized his actions which were not overtly sinful ... yet.  But, he inched too close to the fire and got burned.  He ventured too near to the spider's web and got caught in its sticky trap.  He could have had victory ... if only he had clung to God's Word, if only he had not taken that fateful step toward sexual sin.

The old saying is so true, "Sow a thought, reap a deed.  Sow a deed, reap a habit.  Sow a habit, reap a character.  Sow a character, reap a destiny."  It all starts with the thought.  God tells us to take "every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).  If we will do that, we will keep to the path of life.

When you are tempted to take a precarious little step toward compromise by clicking on a questionable link, starting up that "innocent" conversation with an old flame, or engaging in inappropriate sharing with a co-worker you find attractive, stop and ask yourself this critical question, WHERE COULD THIS LEAD?

Sexual sin is defeated at the starting gate.  You cannot fight that sin because it is too powerful.  God tells us to flee it.  God says, "Follow the example of Joseph and get yourself far away from the slippery slope."  If you go near the door of her house (the door of sexual temptation), you will be overwhelmed, and you will fall ... and you will rue the day you let that sin wreck and ruin your life, your marriage, your family, and your testimony for Christ.  It is NOT worth it.  It is NEVER worth it.  If you don't believe me, just ask King David.

THE GOOD NEWS

If you have failed, you can get back up with the Lord.  You don't have to live as Hester Prynne with a scarlet A on your chest.  The blood of Jesus washes white as snow.  Confess your sins to the Lord and to another trusted friend who can hold you accountable.  Claim God's amazing grace over your life ... and walk in the peace and joy of His forgiveness.  Put God's Word into practice in your life and begin to live in victory over sexual sin.

Love,



Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

HOW'S YOUR PRAYER LIFE?

"I  love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications.  Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore, I shall call upon Him as long as I live."  Psalm 116:1-2

I love the story about the little boy playing in the sandbox.  There was a big rock in the sandbox that was inhibiting his fun.  He tried to roll it out of the box, but it was too big and heavy for him to get it out.  In frustration, he began to cry.

His dad witnessed the whole thing and said to his tearful son, "Why don't you use all your strength?"  The little boy responded through his sobs, "I did use all my strength, Daddy!"  To which his daddy replied, "No you didn't, because you didn't ask me for help."

PRAYER IS ASKING FOR HELP 

How much are we like that little boy?  How many times do we attempt to move the obstacles in our path without seeking first the Lord and calling on His name?  The end result is always the same.  We end up angry, frustrated, tearful and dejected over our inability to solve the problem.

God is waiting for you and me to look to Him.  The door to the throne room is open to His children.  No doubt it amazes God that so few Christians, relatively speaking, really invest the time and energy in earnest prayer.  As David said, "His ear is inclined to us."  So, why do we not pray more frequently and more fervently than we do?  Let me offer some reasons:

1.  We don't really believe God will answer.  The truth is He promises to answer.  "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (Jer. 33:3).   

2.  We don't really believe God cares.  The truth is He cares more than we can fathom.  "Leave all your worries with Him, because he cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7 GNB).             

3.  We don't really believe it will make any difference.  The truth is it makes all the difference in the world.  "You do not have because you do not ask"(Jas. 4:2). 

4.  We are much more prideful than we care to admit.  The prideful person does not ask for help.  "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6).

5.  We are too preoccupied with lesser things and too lazy with important things.  Prayer is hard work.  It takes effort, and it is a struggle.  The devil knows the power of God comes when we get on our knees, so he will fight tooth and nail to keep you from it.  "Discipline yourselves for the purpose of godliness" (1 Tim. 4:7).

Let me encourage you as I encourage myself, make prayer (and Bible study) the cornerstone of your walk with Jesus.  We desperately need His help, His grace and His guidance.  He told us He is available to us ... but we have to call.  Will you join me in calling out to Him on a regular, consistent basis?  The old adage is certainly true: No prayer, no power.  Some prayer, some power.  Great prayer, great power!  Let's determine together to be people of great prayer.  If we will, God will supply great power.

Love,


Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

THE DECEITFULNESS OF MONEY

"And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. "  Matthew 13:22

When I was in 6th grade, I vividly remember an unfortunate experience that taught me a lot about the world in which I live.  I was out and about one Saturday afternoon with a friend.  We stopped at the arcade to play some games.  (It was mostly pinball, back in the day.)  An older kid was there, and he told me that he had put a number of quarters in the machine but couldn't stay to finish playing.  He was going to "sell me" his time for half price.  I thought it sounded like a good deal.  Since I didn't have any quarters to pay him, he offered to make change ... but in the process he had to use the restroom.  I never saw him again.  Although I lost a few dollars that day, I learned a valuable lesson on deception.

Have you ever been deceived?  Have you ever had the wool pulled over your eyes?  Have you ever been lied to in such a convincing fashion that you were stunned and embarrassed when the truth finally came to light?  It is not a good feeling.

The Lord tells us that money is just like the older kid in the arcade.  Money deceives us.  It promises things to us, and then it doesn't deliver.  It slips out the back door and leaves us depressed and bewildered.  Multitudes of people have been scammed by the deceitfulness of riches.  Have you?

The truth is there are untold millions of people who love money, long for money, lie for money, and sacrifice their very souls for money.  Why?  Because they believe the lies of money.   

1. Money says, "I will satisfy you.  I will make you happy."  It won't make you happy.  It is not able to make you happy.  King Solomon had more money than anyone has ever had.  His net worth would make Bill Gates look like a street beggar.  Solomon said, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money" (Eccl. 5:10).  Solomon was sitting on billions, yet he was one of the most miserable, unsatisfied guys on the planet.  Interesting.   

2. Money says, "I will fix all your problems."  No doubt money can fix financial problems, but that is the extent of it.  Money can't fix an incurable disease.  Money can't buy you true love.  Money can't mend a broken heart.  Money can't bring you inner peace.  Money can't make you right with God or secure your place in heaven.

3. Money says, "You need me."  While it is true that all of us need some money to make it in this world, the deeper issue is our desperate need for God.  Money doesn't meet our needs, God does.  Jesus talked a lot about money, because money tends to be the thing we treat as master.  Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters ... You cannot serve God and wealth" (Matt. 6:24).

God wants to free us from the lies and love of money.  He wants us to see that love, joy, peace and satisfaction don't come from money, they come from Messiah.  If you and I will daily surrender our lives to King Jesus and let Him really be Lord of all, we will see Him meet our needs and fill our hearts to overflowing.

Victory over the love of money comes by giving your money generously and cheerfully to the Lord and His work.  It is fine to have things, so long as things don't have you.  Giving keeps money in its rightful place, as your servant and not your master.  Let me encourage you as I encourage myself, be a generous giver to the cause of Christ and the needs of people.  It is the best investment you can ever make.  It pays big dividends in this life and in the life to come.

Love,


Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

THE BATTLE OF THE WILLS

"Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."  Luke 22:42

My wife Debbie is an exceptional person.  Of all the many qualities I love about her, none is more attractive than her discipline and determination.  If she sets her mind to do something, she becomes like the US Mail, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" will keep her from completing her goal.

When our daughter Jill was almost a year old, she started to have problems sleeping.  She would wake up in the night and begin crying for us to come get her.  Jill's unstated goal was for us to bring her into our bed, and she was determined to scream and wail until we yielded to her will.  Debbie knew it would not be good for any of us to start this practice, so she researched a loving, reassuring game plan to help our child sleep in her own bed.

My commitment and dedication to the plan was out the window on the first night.  Jill screamed and cried so hard she made herself throw up.  I told Debbie, "Just bring her into our bed.  We need to sleep!"  But Debbie was determined to correct this behavior, even if she had to stay up all week to do it.  She saw this issue as a battle of the wills with little Jill, and Debbie had no intention of losing.  Praise God that after several rough nights, Jill finally learned to sleep in her own bed without a peep.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

The Christian life is a lot like the episode Debbie had with Jill.  It really is a battle of the wills, our will vs. God's will.  Will we submit to Him, to His Word and His way, or will we continue to fight against Him?

When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He endured the test of the ages as He wrestled with the will of His Father.  Would He yield and willingly go to the cross, or would He save His own life?  The pressure was so great and His prayers were so strongly and earnestly voiced that the capillaries in His face actually burst, and He began to sweat blood.  He sweat blood as He sought for another way.  Nevertheless, after each of His three prayer times that night in the Garden, He concluded with these immortal words, "Yet not My will, but Yours be done."  He sacrificed His will for the Father's will, and purchased our salvation on the cross.  Aren't you glad that He did?

HOW ABOUT YOU?       

How are you doing when it comes to the battle of the wills?  When tempted with selfishness, sin and your plan for your life, have you learned to say with Jesus, "Yet not my will, but Yours be done"?  As hard as it may seem to yield to the Father's will, it is the only way to really live.  God is a good God with a good and perfect plan for you and me.  The only way we can experience the plan He has for us is by living in submission to Him.

Let me encourage you as I encourage myself. Live a life that can be summed up in two words: Yes, Lord.  Whatever He tells you, do it.  If you have to wrestle all night in prayer, that is ok.  Just make sure at the end of your wrestling you end up saying, "Yet not my will, but Yours be done."  It will be the greatest decision you ever make.  If you don't believe me, just ask Jesus.

Love,


Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

P.S.  If you'd like for us to join you in prayer, visit us at www.fromhisheart.org/prayer. 

[Judy Harder]

WORD POWER

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."  Ephesians 4:29-30

Some time ago, I received a letter from a TV viewer in New York. He is a retired police officer, whose mother had just passed away. He was really hurting and asked for prayer.  I wrote him a handwritten note of encouragement. This is what he wrote back:

I cannot thank you enough for your kind letter and blessed words of encouragement and support. Losing my mom to cancer has been devastating for me, but your comforting words that you took time to write out and personally sign mean the world to me. I framed it, and it hangs on my living room wall. Thank you so much.  —Anthony

Reading that note from Anthony reminded me anew and afresh regarding the power of our words. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." How true that is!

FOR DEATH OR FOR LIFE?
Now here are some sobering, thought-provoking questions:

Do you use your tongue to speak life or to speak death?
Do you use your tongue to build up (edify) or tear down?
Do you use your tongue to bless the Lord or grieve His Spirit?
Do you use your tongue to gripe and complain or praise and give thanks?
Do you use your tongue to infuse with faith or poison with doubt?
I think many of us are grossly unaware of what really comes out of our mouths. Some of us have become so accustomed to speaking words of negativity, criticism, and faithlessness that we don't even realize what we are saying. We don't realize the damage we are doing to our loved ones, our friends, and ourselves. Surely, we fail to realize how our rotten words grieve and hurt the Spirit of God.

Oh, make no mistake about it: He hears every word that comes out of our mouths. Jesus said, "Every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).

HOW TO FIX IT
If you desire to honor God with your words and speak life with your tongue, let me encourage you in two ways.

Focus on your heart. Rotten words reveal a rotten heart because,"the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart" (Luke 6:45). Spend quality time in God's Word, and let His Word cleanse your heart. 
Find a trusted friend who can hold you accountable with your speech. Let that friend know they have the green light to call you on the carpet anytime they hear you whine, gripe, complain, gossip, lie, tear down, and speak general words of death and negativity over your life, your spouse, your marriage, your kids, your parents, your church, your job, and your future.
There is great power for good or for evil in that tongue of yours. Let's make a conscious effort to use our tongues for good, for God, and for the building up of others.


Love,

Jeff Schreve

[Judy Harder]

WRITING YOUR SCRIPT FOR 2014

"Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'Be it done to you according to your faith.'" Matthew 9:29

Anyone who knows me very well knows that I love the character Rocky Balboa. Recently, I watched a documentary on the challenges and victories of the Rocky series. For a fan like me, it was a fascinating inside look at one of the most successful movie sagas ever made.

As many know, the original Rocky script was written in 1975 by an unknown writer and two-bit actor named Sylvester Stallone. Stallone created the character, starred in the movie, and launched his career from obscurity to stardom. It stands to reason that one of the keys to Stallone's greatness with the role of Rocky was due to the fact that he wrote the script.   

WHAT SCRIPT ARE YOU WRITING?

The New Year is always filled with freshness and opportunity. It is like a mulligan in life. Listen, if you don't like where you are right now in your journey, if you sense your job is a dead-end, if you are feeling trapped in the drudgery and monotony of a life that is so far below what you had envisioned, then it is time to rewrite your script.

As we kick-off 2014, let me encourage you to ask yourself these three important questions:

1. Where am I now? This question requires gut-level honesty. You must face the brutal facts and look soberly in the mirror so you can rightly assess where you are in life. Where are you on the satisfaction scale? Where are you as far as making a difference in your world for Christ? Where are you as far as being on track to become the best "you" possible? Where are you as far as using time wisely or wasting time foolishly? It is impossible to properly move forward until you precisely see where you are.
   
2. Where do I want to be? This is where the script writing comes into play. Nothing really changes for us until we start to write out who we want to be and what we want to accomplish in the Lord. As you look within, what are the passions and gifts God has placed in your heart? What excites you and gets you motivated? If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Bottom line, what are the desires of your heart? That is a key question because the Scripture says, "Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

3. How am I going to get there? The train that takes you from point A to point B with the Lord rides on the two rails of bold faith and simple obedience. Because God is a big God who can do anything, we need to believe God for big things. Stop settling for adequacy when He wants to give you abundance! The blind men in Matthew 9 were healed because of their faith. They believed He was able ... and they asked for something big. In addition to bold faith is simple obedience. Obedience is putting the Lord first in daily life. It is seeking His kingdom and His righteousness. It is walking in the light, saying an enthusiastic, "Yes, Lord," to His commandments which are given for our good, not our detriment. You and I will never get anywhere with Jesus if we refuse to obediently follow Him.

I believe that 2014 is going to be the best year ever for all of those who will get alone with God and write the script He lays on your heart. As you put faith and obedience into practice, you will see God change you, grow you, and open doors of greater opportunity and service. Remember God has big plans for you. Get in on those big plans so you can truly experience a Happy New Year!

Love,

Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

P.S. If you'd like for us to join you in prayer, visit us atwww.fromhisheart.org/prayer.

[Judy Harder]

ARE YOU FORGETTING SOMETHING?

"As they had their pasture, they became satisfied.  And being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore, they forgot Me."  Hosea 13:6

Years ago, when Debbie and I were still somewhat newly married, we went away for an overnight stay at my parents' condo on Lake Conroe.  It was going to be a romantic time together, just the two of us on the lake.  I was excited about it!

It took about 45 minutes to drive to the condo.  When we arrived, it dawned on me ... I had forgotten the key to the place!  What a bummer!  Needless to say, that overnight stay lost some of its luster as we spent a good portion of Friday night in the car.  I couldn't believe that I had forgotten one of the most important things to make the weekend go smoothly – the key!

ARE YOU FORGETTING THE KEY?

The sad tale of God's Old Testament people can be summed up simply.  They sought the Lord in their distress.  The Lord answered their prayers and delivered them.  They became satisfied and proud in their God-given prosperity, and they forgot Him and forsook Him.  How terrible.  How tragic.  God was the key to everything for them, yet they quickly forgot Him.         

How does it happen that a people who have seen, heard and personally experienced what God has done would ever forget Him?  It happens little by little.  It happens when we fail to daily, consistently read His Word and remember the great works of the Lord.

"He has made His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate" (Ps. 111:4).  The Hebrew word for remembered means scent.  He has made His wonders to be a scent for us.  The wonderful aroma of God's compassion, love, grace and faithfulness is to be breathed in as we read (and reread) of all His marvelous works.

1.  The plagues in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea remind us that God is a deliverer that we can trust, even when all hope seems lost.

2.  The miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah reminds us that we can trust God to keep His promises.

3.  The victory over Goliath reminds us that "the battle is the LORD's."  God will show up and show out if we will step out in faith, like David did, and face the giants of life.

4.  The raising of Lazarus from the dead reminds us that God doesn't always do exactly what we ask, but His way is way better. 

GET INTO GOD'S WORD

Let me encourage you to spend unhurried time each day reading the Bible and reliving the wonders of God.  All His miracles reflect His glory and His goodness.  They give us strength and hope for the battles we face.  They remind us that "God is for us," and we can trust Him.

Don't forget the key to all of life – the LORD Himself.  Remember Him daily, and put Him first.   
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever" (Ps.111:11).

Love,

Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

THE CHANGES OF LIFE

"How can we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?"  Psalm 137:4

When I was in seventh grade, my family moved from California to Texas.  I can still remember getting off the plane in August at Houston's Intercontinental Airport and feeling humidity for the first time in my life.  Whoa!!  It was hard to get a good breath.  It seemed like we had landed in God's armpit.  I was not ready for all the changes that were about to enter my life.  But ready or not, here they came.

LIFE IS ALWAYS CHANGING

Have you come to the realization that life is all about change?  A new school year is all about change – new students, new teachers, new classes, and new challenges.  A new job is all about change – a new boss, a new job assignment, and a new work environment.  A new city is all about change – a new culture, new friends, and a new way of doing things.

The bottom line with change is this: it produces a new normal for us.         

Now as much as we may want everything to stay the same, it won't.  We can whine, gripe, complain and long for "the good ole days," but where does that get us?  You see, the trick to enjoying life is to learn to roll with the punches, adapt to the changes, embrace the new normal, AND KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS CHRIST.  That is the key that enables us to have joy and contentment in the midst of change.   

HE WILL NEVER CHANGE

While life may change around us – and sometimes at a rapid rate – the Lord never changes.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever" (Heb. 13:.  He says in the Book of Malachi, "For I, the LORD, do not change" (Mal. 3:6).  Without a doubt, that is good news when facing the uncertainty of change.

No matter what changes you may be facing today, you can rest in these facts:

1. God's love for you will never change, regardless of what you do or don't do.     
2. God's faithfulness to you will never change, so you can count on Him 24/7.
3. God's control over all situations will never change; He will always be the King.   

TAKE IT FROM AN APOSTLE

The Apostle Paul is the poster child for rolling with the punches.  Paul had his eyes on Jesus and knew that the Lord was in control of all the circumstances, so he did not worry, fret, or complain when changes came to his life.  He simply trusted God and let the Lord take the lemons and make lemonade.

In one instance in his life, God specifically led him to preach in Philippi.  He was preaching away, telling people about Jesus and His amazing grace when he was savagely beaten with rods, arrested, and thrown in prison.  Well, that is not what you want or expect when you are serving and obeying God, right?  How would Paul respond to this unwanted change in his life?  The Bible tells us that it was about midnight in the jail house, and Paul and Silas began to pray and sing hymns of praise to God.  Can you believe it?  How can you possibly be rejoicing and singing, Paul?  He learned the secret:

For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:11-13)

LEARNING THE SECRET

The sooner you and I learn the secret that the Lord will give us strength in any and every circumstance, the sooner we can live a life of contentment, regardless of the changes that may befall us.

Remember, God reigns over every trial and every change.  He has a purpose in it all.  So do like Paul did.  Trust the Lord and praise His name, no matter what.

Thank God for the changes.  Rejoice even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty.  The Lord will give you a song as you accept every change in life with confidence that the God who loves you, died for you, and rose again is using all the changes for your good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).

Love,

Jeff Schreve
www.fromhisheart.org